For many, the beginning of the New Year means resolutions to do better than the year before. It is a new beginning when we can make positive changes in our lives. The problem is, within the first couple of weeks, our resolutions have gone by the wayside and our old habits have prevailed. I contend that this is because we are relying on our own selves to make the changes. Rather, we need to throw out the making of New Year resolutions and resolve to do only one thing – look to God for how He will work within us and through us this coming year. The maker of time, the Ancient of Days is the only one who can change us from the inside out. “How can He do this?” you ask. It is because of who He is. Look at the following scriptures that tell of His identity and goodness and then decide if you could use Him in your life for 2023.
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
…Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of their gods foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am He.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no savior.
I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
Yes, and from ancient days I am He.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”
-Isaiah 43: 1-3a, 5-13
God is the one and only true God. He has chosen the Jews to be His people, and given the rest of us a chance to join them has His holy people. If you accept His Son Jesus as your Savior, you will join His holy people and experience His abundant life for you. He protects us through life’s storms and has provided a way for eternal life. He is the only God of power from the beginning of time to the day time stops on earth.
However, His power is not just over earth and the physical, but also in the heavens and spiritual. The prophet Daniel gives us a glimpse of God’s realm, and how Jesus is placed in God’s plan of salvation for all those who seek it.
As I looked, “thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze.
A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
and the books were opened. -Daniel 7:9-10
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” -Daniel 7:13-14
In Daniel 7 verses 9 and 10, we see God as the ultimate ruler who is opulent beyond words to properly describe Him and His court of “ten thousands times ten thousands” – too many to count stands before Him. Within this company enters Jesus, as described as, “like a son of man”. We see Jesus’ authority given to Him by the Ancient of Days, of a dominion that will last forever and never be destroyed. Jesus has been given authority, glory and sovereign power. He will be worshipped by peoples from all nations. This is a picture of magnificence beyond anyone’s comprehension. This is the God I want to worship – not necessarily because of His great power and royalty, but rather as we see from Nehemiah below, because He is worthy to be praised.
“Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.” “Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. –Nehemiah 9:5b-6
God is the constant true God. He is powerful, creative and sovereign. And yet, He cares enough to be interested in the minutiae of our lives. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:29-31; “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Only in humans does power corrupt. God in His ultimate power is never corrupt, but holy and caring, loving us unconditionally, and wanting the very best for each of us. This is who I give my 2023 to. I pray and expectantly wait to see what the Ancient of Days will do within my life this year. Join me!
